t ire, „C i~ ' »H ^ '« » ■ f i I m THE OR, CHILDREN'S MEETING. HISTORY, ADVANTAGES, AND ABUSES, WITH APPKOVED MODIS OF CONDUCTINO IT. ^ « « BY H. C. TRUMBULL, ftTATE SABUATH SCHOOL MISSIONARY FOR CONNECTICUT, BOSTON: H E N K y HOY T, No. 9 Cornhill. Entered aeeording to Act of Congress, in the year 1861, by HENRY IIOYT, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. Printed by Bazin & Chandleb, 37 CornhiU. NOTE. The substance of this little work appear- ed originally in the columns of the Sunday School Times^ in response to frequent in- quiries in that paper as to the nature of the Sabbath School Concert, and the best modes of conductinf>: it. It was so well received on its first publi- cation, that it is now put into more perma- nent and available form, in the hope that it will prove of interest or service in Schools where the Monthly Children's Meeting has been but little known, or so conducted as to secure but a moiety of its advantages. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014 https://archive.org/details/sabbathschoolconOOtrum CONTENTS. Its Origin 7 Growth in Favor 9 Change of Day U Obstacles to its continued Interest 12 Early Expedients to render it attractive 13 A PART assigned TO THE CHILDREN 15 The Sabbath School Concert of the present day.. 16 inapproprla.teness of title 18 Arguments for the Children's Meeting 19 Objectionable Exercises ♦ 28 When to hold it 36 Who should be IN IT 38^ Approved Modes of Conducting it 39 Its Grand Design 56 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. ITS ORIGIN. Even before the organization in America of any Foreign Missionary Society now in existence, the first Monday evening of each month was observed, more or less generally, in this and other lands, as a season of con- certed or united prayer, for God's blessing on efforts to diffuse the light of his truth into regions of heathen darkness. This ''Monthly Concert of Prayer for Missions," has been continued to the pres- 8 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCEET. ent tiaae. It is deemed a precious service in the Christian church, and its value to the mission cause has been very great. No sooner did the Sabbath-school be- come a permanent agency in this country for bringing the Gospel to the young, than a desire was manifested by its friends to secure in some way a union of prayer in behalf of the new and attractive enterprise. In the course of discussion on this subject, it was suggested that those interested in Sabbath-schools throughout the United States, should have such a meeting on the second Monday of each month, as the sup- porters of foreign missionary work had with reference to their cause on the first. This suggestion, as we are informed by that well known and valuable little work, " The Teacher Taught," was rendered practically efficacious through its formal recommenda- THE SABSATII SCHOOL CONCERT. 9 tiou by the Board of Managers of the American Sunday School Union, in Sep- tember, 1824. GROWTH IN FAVOR. In this way came the Monthly Sabbath School Concert. It gained rapidly in the estimation of the Christian public, and was soon widely observed. The second annual report of the " West- ern Sunday School Union," for 1827, speaks of the value of this season of prayer in various counties of New York State, remarking, that " where it is observed, it exerts a happy influence both upon teach- ers and scholars." Mention is made in the fifth annual re- port of the "New Hampshire Sabbath School Union," for 1829, of the fact that, " it was in the Sabbath School Montlily 10 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. Concert that the indications of the late revival in Portsmouth appeared." A communication in the New Jersey Sahhath School Journal^ for December, 1829, from a clergyman of Pennsylvania, gives his method of making the Sabbath School Concert an interesting service. In the eighth annual report of the " Con- necticut Sabbath School Union," for 1831-2, it is stated that in fifty-six of one hundred and seventy-two schools noted, " the Sabbath School Monthly Concert is observed on the second Monday of every month." The Sahhath School Record^ an organ of the Connecticut Union, contains in its issue for September, 1832, a letter to be read at the Concert for that month, in which it is suggested that the occasion is similarly ob- served in England, Scotland and Irelancl, France and Germany, along the Mcditcr- THE SABBATH SCHOOL CO^^CERT. 11 ranean, and at missionary stations of India, Ceylon and the Sandwich Islands, as well as throughout America. Thus much may be said of the early his- tory of the Sabbath School Monthly Con- cert. CHANGE OF DAY. After a while, from the difficulty of gath- ering an audience during the week, and from the too common desire of doing up in one day the religion for seven, the Concert of Prayer for Missions was quite generally changed, from the first Monday of the month to the first Sabbath, or to the Sab- bath immediately preceding the first Mon- day. For the same reasons, the Sabbath School Concert was similarly changed, and now both meetings are held, usually, on the Sabbath, although in some places Mon- 12 THE SABBATH SCHOOL COI\CERT. day still is, as in others it was until very recently, adhered to. OBSTACLES TO ITS CONTINUED INTEEEST. While the Sabbath School Concert of Prayer was attractive as a novelty^ it was almost uniformly well attended, but grad- ually the interest in it, in most places, abated. It was, at the best, but a prayer meeting, and the atmosphere of a prayer meeting is not always as warm, nor are its numbers as large, as desirable. Moreover, as the Sabbath School is too often deemed by the church an outside agency, to be cared for alone by the few who may have a taste for its exercises, it is by no means strange that a prayer meeting in its behalf was attended by even a smaller portion of the congregation than were at other special services of the week. The children, it is THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 13 true, were invited to come to these meet- ings with their parents and friends, but un- less they were particularly addressed, the services became tedious to them, while it was difficult to always secure speakers who could talk to their interest and edification. This was especially the case in country communities, where there is ordinarily a shrinking from public prominence on the part of those who are best qualified for successful effort in behalf of the little ones. EARLY EXPEDIENTS TO RENDER IT AT- TRACTIVE. In the New Jersey Sahhath School Jour- nal^ for December, 1829, a pastor tells of imparting new life to his sadly drooping concert, by adopting the plan of giving in- formation and relating anecdoies appropri- ate to the occasion, and of requiring the 14 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. children at each meeting to repeat what was said to them at the one previous. A correspondent of the Connecticut Sah-' hath School Record^ for September, 1832, recommends that at this meeting "the children be first addressed while their at- tention is awake ; then, if some fall asleep while teachers and parents are the subject of remark, it is not so important." The Massachusetts Sahhath School Trea^ sury^ of about the same date, notices the fol- lowing experiment of a Superintendent to render newly attractive his Sabbath School Concert, which had so diminished in num- bers that even many of the teachers aban- doned it as unworthy of their attention. During the month, he collected all the facts he could obtain from religious newspapers and Sabbath School periodicals, which tend- ed to show the extent and value of Sabbath THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 15 School influence. Arranging these in prop- er order, he read them at the Concert, with appropriate remarks and inferences inter- spersed. The result was so satisfactory in securing an increase of attendance, as to suggest the desirableness of every school taking at least one copy of each Sabbath School periodical in the country for use at the Concert, and for preservation in the library. Thus, and in other ways, were endeavors made to ascertain how this important meet- ing could be conducted with greatest prob- ability of permanent and uniform interest. A PART ASSIGNED TO THE CHILDREN. Of the various modes resorted to for making the Sabbath School Concert a pop- ular as well as a profitable service, those which secured an active part to the chil- 13 THE SABBATH SCHOOL COXCERT. dren, in the answering of questions from the desk, or in the repeating of selections from Scripture, seemed to give greatest and most general satisfaction. Indeed, so marked was the success which attended this new feature of the exercises, that it steadily- gained in public favor, until it was exten- sively adopted. THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT OF THE PRESENT DAY. What, therefore, is now ordinarily under- stood by a Sabbath School Concert is not a monthly union of prayer in behalf of the Sabbath School, nor yet alone a meeting where addresses to, with prayer for, and singing by the little ones, complete the ser- vice ; but it is a gathering of the children and the children's friends, at which the Scriptural recitations or responses of the former, constitute the chief attraction. THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCEilT. 17 It is true, that in many churches no change has been made in the style or order of exercises at the concert since it was orig- inaliy instituted. It is also true, that uni- formity of general character or design has not yet been attained in this meeting throughout our land ; but that, on the con- trary, it is a very different service at one place from what it is at another. In one case, prayer is its prominent feature ; in another, praise. Now, the children are talked about ; again, they are talked to. Here, the teachers only are expected ; vrhile there, the children, with the congre- gation at large, make up the audience. Still, it is nevertheless true that the Sab- bath School Concert, which u named so fre- quently at conventions, in Sabbath School periodicals, and in ecclesiastical reports, as decidedly the largest and most satisfactory 13 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. meeting of the month, is usually a chil- dren's service, rather than a prayer-meet- ing. INAPPROPRIATENESS OF TITLE. It may, perhaps, be claimed, and not without reason, that a name which befitted the originally contemplated union of churches in prayer for the Sabbath School, is not altogether appropriate to a gathering of the children for religious instruction or worship. But, so gradually was any change brouscht about in the character of the meeting, that it did not necessarily sug- gest the desirableness of a new appellation^ and at the present time it would be exceed- ingly difficult to alter or amend the prima- ry and now established designation. What is called in some places the Sab- bath School Concert, is distinctly known THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 19 in others as the '"Children's Meeting.' Again, there are churches which set apart in every month one evening for prayer in behalf of the Sabbath School, under the name, and in accordance with the original design of the Sabbath School Concert ; and give yet another to a children's meeting of the character indicated above. This cer- tainly seems a desirable plan, where the church can be induced to do so much for the children's cause, and it is well worthy of extensive and general adoption. ARGUMENTS FOR THE CHILDREN'S MEETING. The advantage of a service in which the children have a part, are many and obvious. Such a meeting can he conducted in any community. The pastor may be but a dry sermonizer. 20 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. The superintendent may be unable to in- terest an audience of young or old. Other speakers to children may be lacking in both church and congregation. But the children are always to be found, and their talent is ever available. Each of them can learn and repeat a passage of Scripture, which is in itself a truthful, appropriate and eloquent address. Their participation may render the exercises always fresh, ever varying, uniformly attractive and edifying. A children's service is invariably pop^ ular. Children are glad to be recognized by the church, and to enjoy the privileges of a service peculiarly their own. They will love to attend and to fill their part in it. Parents, also, will be usually found where there offspring have so prominent a place. Even those who attend no other religious THE SABBATH SCHOOL COXCEKT. 21 gathering will often come to see their loved little ones happy in their own meeting, and Villi exlilhit a feelinn* of natural and commendable pride in observing the satis- factory performance by those little ones of the duty assigned them. Indeed, children's exercises are quite sure to be pleasing to the whole community. A pastor recently remarked that his people ha:l a great fond- ness for young preachers, and he sought to gratify their demand, by putting forward, at the Sabbath School Concert, the children and youth to preach the gospel in the very words of him who " spake as never man spake." Other parishes can be similarly gratified to advantage. Participation in this exercise prepares the young for their part in puhlic worship^ The reluctance of members to speak or pray in a religious meeting, is frequently 22 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCEKT. a great hindrance to tlie work of the church, especially in a rural comunity. A Sabbath school in a quiet New England town could now be named, which has been conducted for nearly a year without an opening prayer, because of the relutance of the superintendent — who rejoices in a Christian hope — to raise his voice to God, in the presence of others. Those who are trained in the children's meeting will not, in after life, be likely to thus shirk a bur- den of duty incumbent upon them in the Sabbath school or sanctuary. A service of this kind provokes Bihle study. Doctrines are stated to be proved by the Bible. Questions are asked to be answered from the Bible. Words or incidents are named to be found in the Bible. Thus, and in other ways, are the children, and THE SABBATH SCHOOL COXCERT. 23 tliose who are with them, urged and in- duced to " search the Scriptures." There- by, their minds are profitably stored with treasures of heavenly wisdom, love for God's word is inspired, a taste for its study is acquired, and with the immediate good attained, there comes the hope and proba- bility of future and permanent benefit to their souls. 27ie exercises of such a meeting fastens truth in the minds of those who have a part in it. In a recent elaborate editorial of the Sunday School Times^ on " Passive Hear- ing," it was asserted that, " we never thor- oughly possess a thought ourselves until we have expressed it in word to somebody else. The teacher may communicate a thought or fact clearly to the apprehension of the pupil. But depend upon it, it has 24 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CO^X^ERT. not become a part of that pupil's mental wealth until he himself has reproduced it, and given it form and expression in words. This giving e:??pression to our knowledge defines it to our own minds, and also makes it truly our own." In this view of the case, which is undoubtedly the correct one, a service which induces the children and their friends to give distinct expression to Bible truth in the presence of, and for the benefit of others, is of great value ifi fixing that truth in the minds of those who utter it. The children's meeting is, in one sense, simply a large or model class ; the whole audience being scholars, the superintendent acting as teacher. It superadds impressive and effective lessons to the ordinary Sab- bath School exercise, and not unfrequently fills a wide gap left by an incom})etent or unfaithful teacher. THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT, 25 The cJiildren^s meeting proves often a means of grace to those who attend as par^ ticipants or spectators. The words of Sacred Writ has a pecu- liarly sweet and solemn impressivenesa when breathed in the gentle tones of tender, loving childhood. Hearts which seemed long calloused to all appeals from above or around, have been instrumentally touched and softened by tlie lisping words of a little one, repeating the precious teachings of the blessed Jesus. Those whose angels do always behold the face of the Father have a mission, even in the work of winning souls, not to be despised. Many conversions may be distinctly traced to the agency of the Sabbath School Concert, conducted as a children's meeting. Pastors and superintendents, who have had most experience and observation of such a 26 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCEET. service, uniformly and unhesitatingly give to it their unqualified approval, and there is every reason to hope that a meeting of this kind will, if properly conducted, be, in the future, greatly prospered of God to the welfare of souls. It may be said in addition that the recit- ing of Scripture by children is a time-hon- ored practice ; not a modern innovation. It is related by old Jewish writers, of Mor- decai, that going home at night, " in great heaviness, upon the notice ofHaman's plot, he met three Jewish children coming from school, of whom he inquired w^hat they had learned that day ; one of them told him his lesson was (Pro v. iii. 25, 26.) ' Be not afraid of sudden fear,' c6c. ; the second told him his was (Isa. viii. 10.) ' Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought ; ' the thii'd told him his was (Isa. THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCEP.T. 27 xlvi. 4.) ' I have made, and I sliali bear, even I will carry, and v/ill deliver you.' * O the goodness of God,' says l^Iordecai, * who out of the mouth of babes and suck- lino-s ordains stren2:th ! ' " This ancient custom commends itself to all who desire the spiritual good of the little ones. Says Dr. Wise, the able editor of the M. E. Sunday School Teachers'^ Journal^ " Texts of Scripture lodged in the mind, are like those seeds of the pine tree which the wind wafts in a forest of oak, and which spring up into a beautiful pinery whenever the hand of industry removes the primal growth of oak." The monthly Sabbath School Concert, conducted as a children's meeting, furnishes the opportunity of sew- ing the seeds which are likely to bring so fruithful a harvest, Vv^iatever exercises, therefore, may be 28 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. held for the benefit of the children, however much there may be of prayer with or for them, let there be at least one public meet- ing in the month, Trhere they have a part as well as a place. Let the service, v^hich is everywhere available, and always popular ; which pro- motes the study of the Bible, and fastens its truths in the mind ; which, now, as for- merly, seems specially approved of God, and which is, on all accounts, a delightful and precious service, be neither forgotten nor neglected. Let it be regularly held, and carefully looked to. OBJECTIONABLE EXERCISES. That the Sabbath School Concert may be, and indeed too often is, conducted in an exceptionable manner, cannot be denied. THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 29 Uie dramatic element can he introduced only to the great ivjury cf this service. In some places, a platform is erected in cliurcli or chapel, and children, showily dressed for the occasion, are brought on to it to exhibit themselves in dialogues or other exercises of school declamation. Of course, a meeting thus conducted draws a crowd, as a theatrical performance is always likely to. But there can be little doubt that the effect of such a service, for the Sabbath, is on the whole decidedly inju- rious to both juvenile actors and admiring spectators. J^ven where neither platform nor fanciful dresses are tolerated^ particular children ought not to have marked prominence^ nor shoidd, miscellaneous recitations he gener' ally admitted. The young should not be brought before 80 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. an audience in sucli a manner as to en- danger tlieir modesty, or to excite tlieir vanity and self-love. At tlie Sabbath School Concert, no one pupil should have a particularly distinguished part. The ex- ercises should be of so general a character that all may participate in them, and be made to feel that the service is peculiarly their own. Moreover, as an almost endless variety of exercises is attainable in the study and repitition of different portions of Scrip- ture, there seems to be no reasonable ex- cuse for seeking at such a service in- struction or entertainment for the children elsewhere than in God's word. It is true, that very young children can often more easily, and with evident propriety, commit Scripture truth in the form of verse, and that, by those of any age, most ^ood may frequently be attained in searching the THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 81 Bible for its lessons rather than its texts ; but the practice of going outside of that bock for teaching of morality or sources of profit of a religious meeting, is unquestion- ably reprehensible. What is highly pro- per for a Band of Hope " meeting, or a week day gathering of children, may be quite out of place in the Lord's house, and on the holy Sabbath, the hours of which are so few and sacred, as to demand their very best and most profitable employment. No question should he ashed^ topic sug^ g'Gsted^ or remark made, calculated merely to excite mirth, or to amuse rather than to profit. Those who address children in public, not unfrequently be-little themselves, their hearers, and their cause, by trifling, frivol- ous, puerile remarks. Children deserve, and desire bright, fresh, valuable ideas, and 82 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CON"0ERT. in the sanctuary, an attempt should never be made to entertain tliem without a dis- tinct and intelligent purpose of promoting their spiritual good. The legitimate amuse- ments and necessary relaxation of the play- ground are not called for in the school dur- ing the hours of study. If a smile is ever excited in a religious meeting, it should be in the attempt to fix a well defined and im- portant truth in the minds of those ad- dressed, not for the purpose of pleasing, or even of merely relieving the audience. Frizes should not be offered to those who will repeat^ at the children's meeting^ the greatest number of verses from the Bible. The value of text treasure in early youth has been often shown, and should not be under-estimated. Children should be uro^ed to freely commit portions of Divine truth, and there is little danger on their THE SABBATH SCHOOL COXCEKT. 83 part of a general OTer-studying of the Bible. But there are those to whom God has given a peculiarly tenacious memory, while some have specially cultivated that faculty to the neglect of other gifts. Such persons can learn in a single hour more than others can in a day or a week. It, therefore, usually happens that the prize offered for the largest number of texts is taken by one who has made comparatively little exertion to obtain it, rather than by those who have studied hardest, and exerted themselves with most commendable perseverance in its pursuit. iNIany a child has been hurried into an early grave from the Scripture prize-ring, and many a heart has been wrung, and bright eye dhnmed, by the failure to secure that for which every nerve had been strained to its utmost tension. Yet, in more than one place, has the 34 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. monthly children's meeting been given up to these indefensible memory matches of over-stimulated little ones. While it may be quite fair to offer a testimonial to all who will commit a certain portion of Scrip- ture, within a reasonable period, the race- course practices appear in theory and ex- perience almost exclusively pernicious. The childrerCs meeting should not he a dull^ monotonous^ uninteresting service. "The best way to preach," said a good old minister to his younger brother, " is to preach every wayT To interest children there must be variety and spirit in the exercises. And the endeavor to benefit children in a religious meeting without in- teresting them, is equally futile with the attempt to promote their spiritual welfare by simply amusing them. At a State Sun- day School convexjtion some tipae since, a THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 35 good brother said boastingly, that the Sun- day School Concert had been kept up monthly in connection with his school for nearly thirty years, and in all the time since it was commenced, the exercises had never been changed nor varied. In many another place the children's meeting is con- ducted on the same, erroneous ideas which evidently influenced that simple minded man and his fellow-workers. The Sunday School Concert, as the chil- dren's meeting, should not be a theatrical performance. It should not give objection- able prominence to particular children. It should not rely upon other sources of in- struction than the Bible. It should not be a place for mere amusement. It should not lay too heavy and crushing burdens on the memory of children. It should not be a stuoid, unattractive service, without varie- 36 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. ty and spirit. But it should be a pleasing meeting, for the purpose of spiritually ben- efitting the young, its exercises being all conducted with an eye single to the glory of God, and the good of souls. This it can be. This in many places it is. WHEN TO HOLD IT. In cities or large villages and other com- pact communities, the Sabbath School Con- cert is usually held as an early evening meeting, say at 5 or 6 o'clock. In the country, where it is difficult to re-assemble the people at the centre after they have scattered to their homes, it sometimes takes the place, once a month, of the regular session of the school at noon, or immediately follows the afternoon service, or, what is still better, it occupies the place of an or- dinary afternoon preaching service. At a THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 37 formal meeting of the county secretaries of tlie Connecticut Sabbath School Teachers' Association, at New Haven, in December, 1859, it was resolved concerning the Sab- bath School Concert , that " It is indispen- sable to the highest prosperity of any school," and " when it cannot be held to advantage in the evening it should be allowed to take the place of the afternoon service." This recommendation was sub- sequently endorsed by full conventions in most of the counties of that State. It would certainly seem as if the children and youth of any community were fairly entitled to at least one half Sabbath in the month, espec- ially where they can at no other time enjoy to advantage a service which is " indispen- sable to the highest prosperity of the school." 38 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. WHO SHOULD BE IN IT. While the Superintendent has, usually, the lead in the Sabbath School Concert, the presence of the pastor is always to be desired, and the more active part he con- sents to take in its exercises the better. His influence in its favor — especially where it is a novelty, and likely to be deemed, by any, a somewhat dangerous innovation — is of first importance, and should be secur- ed beyond all question. Not only members of the school, but the entire congregation should be present at this service, and have a share in the sing- ing, the Scripture recitations, and the re- sponses to general inquiries from the desk. Additional interest is often given to the Concert by a union of several neighboring schools in its exercises. This is especially THE SABBATH SCHOOL COXCEUT. 89 the case where it is difiicult for any one congregation to have a large meeting in the evening, or where there is a paucity of competent speakers to children. Schools of different denominations frequently come together thus, and are mutually stimulated and encoura^^ed to increased effort in their particular fields. Sometimes, they will unite once a quarter while holding the Concert by themselves in the intermediate months. In this way they obtain the ad- vantage of an occasional spur, without los- ing the desirable opportunity of developing w^hatever of home talent they may possess. APPROVED MODES OF CONDUCTING IT. In the exercises of the Concert, sino-ino; may safely have considerable prominence. " Next to theology," says Luther, " it is to music that I give the highest place and the 40 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCEET. greatest honor." The children will '^o at least as far in this matter as the great Ive- former, even if they do not reverse his order of precedence. And it is well worth while to take advantage of their taste to increase their love for and interest in relig- ious meetings. Juvenile sacred music is already a power in the land not to be de- spised. It has, in the past few years, well nigh displaced in our streets the negro melodies and ribald songs which were be- fore so common. It has drawn hosts of little ones towards the Sabbath School and sanctuary, and also, it is hoped, with God's blessing, towards the fold of Jesus. In the course of the Concert, several hymns may be sung, the words and tunes of which should be such as the children will be like- ly to join in and to enjoy, and at the same time such as are calculated to inspire prop- THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 41 er emotions and make correct and profita- ble impressions. In some places, the mem- bers of the school come together a half hour or an hour before the commencement of the Concert to practice singing for it, or to enjoy more singing than they could have durino; the sino;le hour devoted to its exer- cises. The prayers offered should be so brief that there may be several of them, so sim- ple that the children may understand each petition, and have such exclusive reference to the occasion and to the peculiar wants of /those present, that no one need wander from the Sabbath School Concert to keep company with him who prays. As to other exercises, no positive rule can be prescribed. Enough has been al- ready said to indicate the general charac- ^ such as are approved. A few illus- 42 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. trative examples may be serviceable to those who have had least experience in this meetino'. A common practice is that of calling, at the concert, for the recitation of texts of Scripture containing a particular word, pre- viously designated by the superintendent, as faith, love, life, wisdom, or the like. Those to whom this exercise is new, will, perhaps, be surprised to learn how much of good is brought out by it, even in the use of the commonest words. In one school, where the word " death " was given out, such passages as the following were recit- ed : " The wages of sin is death." The wicked is driven away in his wickedness, but the righteous hath hope in his death." " For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead." We see Jesus who was made a little low- THE SABBATH SCHOOL COXCEKT. 43 er tl.an the aao^eid for the suilerln >• of death, crowned with glory and honor ; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man." " He will swallow up death in victory." Here is presented the whole Gospel scheme. Man's guilt, helplessness and danger, the necessity, beneficence and sufficiency of ^he atonement, are all por- trayed. A few earnest and appropriate words uttered by the pastor, superinten- dent or one of the teachers, in enforcement of such portions of Divine truth, at the time they are recited, may make an ever-abiding impression on the minds of those present, or at least fix a serious thought in inseparable connection with such texts, to be revived ever afterwards, when they may meet the eye or ear. This is preaching the word in season," and " in all wisdom." Sometimes the words given out at con- 44 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. secutive concerts go to make up a sentence which is finally brought forward for specia^ comment. Thus one month the word will be "draw;" the next "nigh;" the third " to," and so on until the passage, " Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you," is completed. Texts commencing with a designated let- ter of the alphabet are often called for. So are miscellaneous passages of Scripture, all being privileged to make their own selec- tion. Another plan is to request proof texts upon certain fundamental Bible doctrines. One month, the scholars will be asked to find each a passage which goes to show that man is a sinner — that " the carnal mind is enmity against God ;" — the next, that the finally impenitent are forever condemned — that " he that believcth not the Son shall THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 45 not see life, but the wrath of God abiJelh on hmi the thir J, that a way of salvation is provi:!e:l for belieyer.i " — -that there is 11) couJeumation to them wlilch are in Christ Jesus." This style of exercises is much liked wherever it is adopted. It can be varied in many ways to meet the neces- sities of different communities. The duty of prayer, of Bible study, of benevolence, of kindness toward all, of respect to the aged ; the sinfulness of neglecting religious privi- leges, of formalism, of extravagance, of im- pure speech, of rebellion against rightful authority, and any other point of impor- tance in human conduct, may, in this way, be pressed upon the attention of the young and the old in the specific language of Scripture, and in a manner calculated to produce a deep and lasting impression for good. Some pastors follow up the topic 46 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. thus presented at tlie concert, with a spe- cial sermon on it the Sabbath after. Thej can, then, of course, depend upon more in- terested hearers than they could hope for if the subject had not been brought so lately, before many in the congregation. Again, the Lord's prayer is taken up, petition by petition, and collateral passages of Scripture are called for. And thus of one or another of the commandments. The question is sometimes asked, "What single verse would you preserve if all the rest of the Bible must be destroyed?" The most delightful passages have been quoted in response to this inquiry, and the state of the pupil's mind is often shown by the verse selected. Serious impressions resulting in hopeful conversion have also been traced directly to pastoral comments on such an exercise as this. THE SABBATIT SCHOOL CONCERT. 47 One superintciiacnt writes out a separate question on some point of Christian faith or Bible history for each class in his school. The classes then search the Scriptures, and prepare answers, also in writing, to the in- quiries propounded. These replies, or se- lections from them, are, at the next concert, read by the superintendent, with appropri- ate running comments. Then the order is reversed. The classes propound each an inquiry to the superintendent, and at the next concert he makes public reply to them. Another superintendent asks a single question of the whole school, to be replied to in writing the following month. At one time he made the inquiry put by Jesus to the Pharisees, ''What think ye of Christ?^' The answers to this were various, interest- ing and instructive. One replied iu Scrip- 43 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. ture phraseology, ''He is 'Alpha and Ome- ga, the begmning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is and which was, and which is to come, the Ahiiighty.' " He is " the mediator between God and man," &c., &c. A little girl but nine years old, replied, in simple language, " I think he is very good to condescend to come into this wick- ed world to die for such a wicked girl as 1." This practice of writing is well adapted to communities where neither teachers nor scholars have been accustomed to reply to inquiries from the desk, and where there is a general reluctance to " speak in meet- ing." It prepares the way for oral recita- tions. A pastor who conducts his own concert with much success, has been in the habit of arranging responsive Scripture recitations for the several classes. One propounds a THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCEKT. 49 question, and another gives the answer, all in Bible language. Thus : Ques. " Canst thou by searching find out God ? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfec- tion ?" Ans. " O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out." Q. But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" A. " And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying. Behold the tab- ernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his peo- ple, and God himself shall be w^ith them and be their God." Q. " What shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God? " A. " But unto them that are con- tentious and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, indignation and w^rath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of 50 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCEBT. mail that doeth evil, of the J ew first and also of the Gentile," Q. " What must I do to be saved ? " A. " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be sav- ed." Other passages of this character are found as follows : Q. Job ix. 2, 1. c. A, Eomans v. 1. Q. Job xxiii. 3. A. Psalms cxlv. 18, and Jeremiah xxix. 13. Q. Ps. XV. 1. A. Psalms xxiv. 4. Q. Psalms xiii. 1. A. Isaiah liv. 7, 8, Q. Job xiv, 14, f. c. A. John V. 28, 29. Q. Romans viii, 31, 1. c. A. Isaiah liv. 17. Q. Mark xii. 15, f. c. A. 2 Corinthians ix. 7; and so, abundantly, throughout the Bible. Of course, this exercise presupposes an under- standing between those who put the ques- tions and those who give the answers. The pastor or superintendent can arrange both parts of the recitation, or the teachers can select the Bible inquiries, and hand them, THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 51 before the concert, to tlieir scholars, that the latter may obtain fitting Bible respons- es. One month, this order may be observ- ed. The next, it can be reversed by the scholars propounding the inquiries and the teachers findins; the replies. A similar ar- rangement may be made between the la- dies' and the gentlemen's Bible classes, be- tween the older and younger scholars, or between those of the cono!;reo:ation who are in, and those who are out of the Sabbath School. Another pastor, who superintends his own school, occupies one concert with the history of Moses, or some other Scripture character, giving the chief incidents of his life in an interesting and instructive man- ner. At the next concert, he calls for some scholar to commence, in his own language, the story related the previous month. He £2 THE SABBxilll bCIiOGL COJS^CERT. allows tills scholar to proceed but briefly, when he interrupts liim, and requests an- other to take up the story where it was left by the first, and so on, until some one in each class has taken a part, and the sto- ry is complete. In one well conducted concert, a valua- ble feature is the reading by the superin- dent, of a written brief report for the month, giving the weekly attendance at the school, the number of the scholars gained or lost, additions to the library, contributions to benevolent objects, with mention of vis- its or addresses made to the school, conver- sions or deaths, if any have occurred ; spe- cial Sabbath School intelligence from out- side and other valuable matter. In the same concert, the Bible exercises are well varied. At one time the superintendent eelectB as many titles of Christ as there are THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 53 classes in the school, and gives one to each class. At the next concert, the pupils re- cite texts containing the title given to their class. These quotations form, of course, an excellent basis for a few pointed remarks. Again, the Bible instances of special answer to prujcr, are apportioned to the classes, and tlie scholars respond to the call for the record as to Moses, Elijah, Hannah, Dan- iel, c^cc. The members of the infant de- partment usually sing once by themselves, in this concert, or have a brief catechetical exercise to encourage them and show that the meeting is theirs^ as well as for those older iiiid generally more prominent than they. The full order of exercises for a concert which has been continued for more than a quarter of a century wllYi very few inter- ruptions, and v/ith uniform success, is usu- 64 THE SABBATH SCHOOL COXCERT. ally as follows : 1. Singing. 2. Prayer. 3. Singing. 4. Address. 6. Singing. 6. Address. 7. Prayer. 8. Singing. 9. Answers to Bible questions, as " What was the first carrier pigeon's message ? " " Did prayer ever prevent rain ? " &c. 10. Sing- ing. 11. Prayer and Benediction. There are, ordinarily, four or five seasons of sing- ing at this concert, two or three of prayer, several brief talks to the children, and a share of Scripture replies or recitations, yet the whole service does not exceed an hour, or an hour and a quarter, in length. At another concert, the order on one occasion was thus : The pastor opened with prayer. The school sung. Teachers and scholars were called on, by classes, for miscellaneous texts, each person being ex- pected to recite one. Recitations of Scrip- ture followed, on the life of Daniel, ' that THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 55 subject having been before announced. One scholar gave, in a few verses, an inci- dent in bis life. Another, brought the Scripture testimony as to his character, and thus from class to chiss^ Then came sing- ing again. A sketch of Eebecca was given by a little girl, in her own language. A class of j^oung ladies related in Scripture phrase the story of Hezekiah's sickness, recovery, subsequent life and death. One recited four or five verses ; the second fol- lowed with as many more, and thus through the record. The school sung again. The pastor closed the service with brief remarks and the benediction. The su- perintendent made comments on the exer- cises as they proceeded. The concert was rigidly limited to an hour, being com- menced and closed with promptness* 66 THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. ITS GRAND DESIGN. Without multiplying examples of well- conducted concerts, it may be remarked, in conclusion, that whatever exercises are adopted, the great and ultimate object of the children's meeting, to be borne contin- ually in mind, is the spiritual good of those who attend it. The endeavor in and through it should be, not merely to attract to the place of worship, to instruct in the Bible truth, or to excite devotional feelings, but, in every proper way, and by all legit- imate means, to promote the true religious welfare of its participants. The tenor of the service should be wisely adapted to the community where it is held, and to the peculiar circumstances, the habits and tastes of those who are reached by it. Much more freedom, for instance, would be allowable — if still within the THE SABBATH SCHOOL CONCERT. 57 boundary already indicated — in a city mis- sion school than in the school of a quiet country church. So, if the children are accustomed to meet on a week-day for the practice of Sabbath School hymns, or if they sing regularly in the public schools, there will be need of less singing at the Concert than if the case were different. The moLto, Allure — Instruct — Im- press, which Old Humphrey, the highly successful English writer for children, is said to have kept on a large card, conspic- uously before him, at his study-table, might well be adopted by those having charge of the Sabbath School Concert. This service can and should be attractive^ instructive^ impressive. It is not enough that it be either, alone. FINIS. CATALOGUE OF BOOKS PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE BY HENRY HOYT, No. 9 Cornhill, Boston. PICTORIAL CONCORDANCE of the Holy Scrip- tures, with Chronological Tables, etc. By Rev. John Brown ... 1 00 MILLENNIAL EXPERIENCE, or the Will of God known and done from moment to moment. Illus- trated from the Bible and the lives of eminent Christians 1 25 THE HIGHER CHRISTIAN LIFE. A volume of re« ligious experience. Illustrated by sketches from history and from life 1 25 THE HARVEST WURK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, Illustrated in the Evangelist Labors of Rev Edw. Payson Hammond, in Great Britain and Amer- ica. By Rev. P. C. Headley 1 00 2 CATALOGUE OF BOOKS, S^)NGS, for Social and Public Worship ; containing over 300 choice tunes, and 1039 hymns — the best work extant 1 00 THE STORY OF A POCKET BIBLE. An autobio- graphy of the book itself, with ten splendid Illus- trations 9S THE OLD BED HOUSE. By the author of Capt. Russel's Watchword, Ellen Dacre, etc. One of the ablest productions of this popular writer. Illust. 95 BERNICE , The Farmer's Daughter S€ THE MODEL MOTHEPv, Or, The Mother's Mis- sion. A Narrative Work of uncommon interest and power. 12mo. Illustrated 80 ONLY A PAUPER. A work of graphic interest. Illustrated 80 OPPOSITE THE JAIL. By the author of the Child Angel, etc. A narrative work of great power and interest. 12mo. Illustrated 80 PALISSY, THE HUGUENOT POTTER. A Historic Tale 12mo. Illustrated 80 CAPT RUSSlL'S WATCIIV/ORD. Ccmbining rare elements of interest and power. A book for boys, Fully illustrated. 12mo 80 STRAIGHT FORAY ARD, or Walking in the Light. By Lu3y E.Guernsey, author of Ir^hAmy, Ready Work, etc. Illustrated SO CATALOGUE OF BOOKS. s WORKING AND WINNING, or the Deaf Boy'a Triumph .« 80 CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN, or how I rose in the world. By the author of Old Red House, Capt. Russel's Watchword, Ellen Dacre, etc. Illustrated. 80 ELLEN DACRE, or Life at Aunt Hester's. By the author of Capt. Russel's Watchword. Fully illust. 80 SEQUEL TO TIM, THE SCISSORS-GRINDER. By Mrs. Madeline Leslie. Beautifully illustrated ... . 80 TALES FROM THE BIBLE. First Series. By Rev. Wm. M. Thayer, author of Poor House to the Pul- pit, Poor Boy and Merchant Prince, Beautifully illustrated 80 THE LOST WILL. By Mrs. A. E. Porter. This work had its origin in facts which took place in New England. Illustrated 80 NOONDAY. By the author of Capt. Russel's Watch- word, and the Old Red House 75 TIM THE r.CISSOR-GRINDER, or Loving Christ and Serving Him. Illustrated 75 PIETY AND PRIDE. An historic tale. Illustrated. 75 WILL COLLINS, or the Way to the Pit. By Miss H. B. McKeever, author of Edith's Ministry, Sun- shine, etc. Illustrated # 75 THE ORGi»-N GRINDER, or Struggles after Holi- ness. By Mrs. Madeline Leslie, author of Tim the Scisfiora-Grlnder, Sequel to Tim, &©. Illustrated, 75 4 CATALOGUE OF BOOKS. THIJ SOLDIER'S RETURN. Illus 75 ANTOINETTE. The original of the Child Angel. By the author of Opposite the Jail. lilustrat^'d ... lb THE DRUNKARD'S DAUGHTER. By the author of Elkn Dacre, Capt. Russel's Watchword, C)ld Red House, Blind Ethan, etc. Illustrated 70 LELIA AMONG THE MOUNTAII^. A splendid Juvenile, with ninety-four illustrations 65 DAISEY DEANE. By the author of Grace Ha^.e Il- lustrated 65 GUYON'S LETTERS. Translated by Mrs. I'rof. Upham. lermo. lllust 60 THE FLGUNOED ROBE A.ND WHAT IT COST. By Miss H. B. McKeever, authoress of Will Col- lins, etc. A book of surpassing interest and power. 1 2mo. 1 84 pp. lllust 00 THE LITTLE MOUNTAIN GUIDE, or How to be Happy. 18mo. Illustrated..... 50 THE GOLDEN MUSHROOM. By the author of the Watercress Sellers. Illustrated 50 THE SUNBEAM, and other Stories. Beautifully il- lustrated 50 UNCLE JABEZ, or the History of a Man whose Boy- hood was spent in the School of Adversity. Si^ illustrations 50 HA NN AH LEE, or Walking in the Light . Dlust .... 50 CATALOGUE OF BOOKS 5 LIEUTENANT MESSINGER. Illus 50 LITTLE ONES IN THE FOLD. By Kf>% Myard Payson Hammond. . . . » 50 SfMILITUDES. By Miss Lucy Larcom, a .writer of rare excellence. Illustrated 50 THE CONQUERED HEART. By the author of Hemlock Ridge, Robert Walton, etc. Ihastraied.. , 45 JOHNNY McKAY, or the Sovereign. 18ino. lllusi, 43 SOPHIE DE BRENTZ, or the Sword of Truth. By the author of Hillside Farm. Illus=c 45 LITTLE MAY, or of What Use am 1/ Illustrated 45 ROBERT WALTON, or the Great Ide-a. Illustrated 45 THE FACTORY GIRLS. A touching narrative. Fully illustrated 45 MOORCR' )FT HATCH. By A. L. O. E. , one of the most gifted writers of the age 45 PETE, THE CUNNER BOY. By Grandmother Hope. Illustrated 45 CHARLEY ADAMS, the Morning Laborer. Illus. . 40 THE BEGGAR'S CLOSET, and What it Contained. Illustrated 40 ADDIE ANSLEY, or How to Make Others Happy. A charming juvenile. lUust 40 HILLSIDE FARM, or Home Influences Illustrated A book for the family. Illus 40 6 CATALOGUE OF BOOKS. THE FAITHFUL PROMISER, in large type. • A de- votional work of great excellence 40 GRACE HALE. A book for girls. Fully illustrated 40 HEMLOCK RIDGE, or only Dan. White's Son. 18mo Illustrated 40 MACKEREL WILL, The Thieving Fisher-boy. lUus. 40 THE BOUND BOY. By the author of Tim, Sequel to Tim, Prairie Flower, etc. lllus 40 THE BOUND GIRL. By Mrs. Madeline Leslie, author of Tim, etc. lllus 40 VIRGINIA, OR THE POWER OF GRACE. A touch- ing narrative of a friendless orphan rescued from the streets of N^w York. By the author of Tim. lllus 40 JOE CARTON, or the Lost Key. A book for boys, lllus 35 ROSE COTTAGE. A beautiful juvenile. Elus .... 35 MILES LAWSON, or the Yews. lllus 35 ROSE DARLING, or the Path of Truth. By the author of Joe Carton, Hop-Pickers, etc. Beauti- fully illustrated 35 HENRY MINTURN, or my Dark Days. Beautifully written and fully illustrated 35 MATTY FROST. A story for girls. By the author of Grace Hale, Carrie Allison, Our Father's House, etc. lllus 33